Kel-Tec SU-16C: "Featherweight Firepower" BY Nutnfancy, Pt 3

PART 3 OF 3:
The Kel-Tec SU-16C is a super lightweight, portable rifle possessing excellent firepower, good accuracy, and reliability. At a mere 4.7 lbs the SU-16C enjoys an amazingly versatile POU: backpacking gun, patrol officer carbine, civilian sheepdog weapon, or aircrew armament. As shown with Burris "Speed Dot" sight , 30 rd USGI mag (empty), M6 laser/light, and single point sling the SU-16C weighs still a svelte 5.8 lbs. The SU-16C is a high value gun and competes against that also excellent Ruger Mini-14 in the high value .223 carbine category (subject to change with pricing). It takes the ubiquitous AR-15 magazines which gives it plentiful and useful firepower. Integrating a built in Picatinny rail, the SU-16C can easily take optics to increase night sighting and overall hit potential. I recommend sticking to very lightweight sighting options on the gun to retain its portability and speed in handling. The iron sights however are good using a ghost-ring aperture system. They are capable of good accuracy at 50 yards as shown with my target proof. The SU-16C should be considered to have a break-in period and one model I shot experienced many stoppages until this phase was complete. Thereafter (and after cleaning and lubing), that example became 100% reliable with a variety of ammunition. Ensure the bolt, lock lugs, and bolt carrier wear a good lubricant like BreakFree CLP or Slip2000 to help ensure reliable functioning. Some users polish the bottom of the bolt carrier and inside the ejector (NOT extractor) hole to further improve functioning, however these guns worked fine without these mods. The gun shows resistance to harsh environmental conditions and handling while still maintaining high reliability. The ergonomics on the SU-16C are excellent and it possesses surprising sturdiness for its design. The stock has a comfortable, full-size length of pull (thank you Kel-Tec) and locks into place solidly and without any play. The trim forend has excellent checkering, lots of room for grasping, and doubles as a bipod. The magazine release button can be confused with nearby receiver screws so train appropriately. Accessories from Kel-Tec are plentiful and include a compact Picatinny forend replacement , a single point sling and mounting hardware, 10 round magazines, and a pistol grip which allows use of AR-15 stock systems. As in some other Kel-Tec designs, the molded stock/frame may show a sharp corner here and there but a careful sanding with 420 grit sandpaper can smooth those edges quickly. Operation of the gun is simple and is a hybrid of AK and AR procedures (as are its gas piston design and M16-like bolt and locking lugs). Fieldstripping and reassembly are unique in their procedures and may take some practice to achieve speed. The operating handle reciprocates during firing and has an integrated case deflector which also makes charging and operation of the handle more comfortable. Windage corrections on the rear sight are somewhat tedious but effective. These screws and others on the receiver should be lock-tighted or secured with plumbers tape to prevent backing out during firing. ). These examples of the gun had rust in the front sight cups that had to be removed but I feel that this is not representative of the usually excellent Kel-Tec customer service and quality control. The barrel on the SU-16C is an impressive .625 in diameter and .735 underneath the handguard. This substantial thickness is a big plus for the design and provides more capabilities as discussed. Impressively, the muzzle wears a 1/2x28 threaded end that can accept AR-15 muzzle devices, with the YHM Phantom 5C2 flash suppressor being one of my favorites. Accuracy is good with medium quality ammo (better loads will improve results), producing sub 1" groups at 50 yds (using red dot sight) and about 2" to 2.5" at 100 yds (scoped). Shooting a 5.8 lb gun accurately is a bit tougher since minimizing the guns movement is more difficult. But the distinct advantage in "Mobility" and lightweight with the SU-16C is much preferred and makes this system option one of the smartest choices for an all-around, high-value defensive tactical carbine. /////////////Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 10 of 10

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• nutnfancy

[noblinger]

Can I borrow your watch? I have a math test tomorrow.

[mpuno888]

You know, I don't think we give Kel Tec enough credit for what they are doing with their excellent rifles, e.g. AR-15 based ergonomics, reliability and accuracy in a 4.5 lb. gun! I own an SU-22 (as a tactical trainer/ergo's) and I am definitely looking to get the SU-16 as my tactical carbine of choice (e.g. as opposed to an AR or AK platform) Imagine the SU in a 7.62 x 39 chambering! I agree with Nutnfancy in that the company is pressing on with their own designs and sense of value: charming gun

[slwslw09]

If I had extra $ I could buy some land to farm. I'd have somewhere to go and could plan several routes to that location with possible locals that would suffice as staging points to my end destination. Nice to have a back up plan and if possible an escape route. I love my PF9, 870, will eventually get Glocks with the sub2k as a system and now I'm sold on the SU-16c. I would like to get some other toys but they would come when I got the land.

[slwslw09]

Hey Nutn. Great review. My POU is home defense in an urban enviro. I'm not military and wont be able to train myself to that point. So I need to have high value simple/intuitive weapons/equip (light/compact easily taken care of and easily able train others to use and take care of if necessary) along with ammo/food storage in my basement. Bc of my enviro, it would look funny trying to dig a hole in someone's back yard to store food/guns/ammo.LOL. So I feel like you're looking our for me.

[jonspoke]

@sryth1 Hilarious comment regarding "who you were after the first 45 minutes of the phone conversation!" Haha!

Great video as usual Nutnfancy!

[sryth1]

I think Kel Tec knew who you were after the first 45 minutes of the phone conversation with them :D

Just joshing; big fan here! Great review btw, I wish they all were as long and as detailed, though I suppose you wouldn't have time to eat if they were.

Keep up the great work!!!

[onebigkahuna69]

Love my SU16c its so light..all the weight is in the barrel.

[pickinthatbanjo]

@CPLBSS88 Well I have yet to even hear of a "5.35x39" but if you meant 5.45x39mm then I completely agree, we need more 5.45x39mm chambered rifles up hear in Canada, the Par 3 is coming but it cost well over $2500 so more polymer rifles that don't break the $1000 mark is a great thing up hear,

Shame our stupid government and RCMP for banning the Kalashnikov action.

[CPLBSS88]

I would LOVE to seen a compleatly modular su-16 that would allow the user to build their own rifle via a list of options when they order it...a 5.35x39 "C" would be BOSS! I would love if if magpul would have a x39 ma developed.

[ashkaji]

@frankgon4 I just got mine from budsguns, google em. There site bugged on me, but a rep called me the next day to solve the issue and get my gun shipped to me :]

[SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

@nutnfancy I tried to explain to a digital watch wearing friend of mine how much women hate them on men. Finally one of his girlfriends bought him a decent watch! LOL

[codybrady100]

id like to see 410 or 357 mag